부산대학교 도서관

This study was conducted to assess (a) the cognitive dimensions young children cite as bases for liking their best friends and for disliking their enemies and (b) whether such bases differ for unilateral versus reciprocal relationships. Preschoolers named and gave reasons for liking/disliking an actual best friend and an actual enemy. Questioning of parents and observation of subjects' free play were conducted to verify the existence of close, reciprocal friendships. Content analyses of subjects' responses revealed that different dimensions underlie the two types of friendship, since children more frequently cited evaluation and common activities as reasons for liking reciprocal than unilateral friends. Although few mutual enemies were found, aggression, rule violation, and aberrant behavior comprised the major dimensions of unilateral disliking. It is suggested that models of friendship development be expanded to incorporate mutual as well as unilateral relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]